Thimble screw driver



April 16, 1957 J. A. LENIZ THIMBLE SCREW DRIVER 2 she'ets-sheet' 1 Fig. 6

Filed Jan. 11, 1954 Joe A. Len/z INVENTOR.

J. A. LENIZ THIMBLE SCREW DRIVER April 16, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 11, 1954 0 W Mm em 6 0 m v w United States Patent C THHVIBLE SCREW DRIVER Joe A. Leniz, Reno, Nev., assignor to Leniz Tool Manufacturing Company, Inc., Reno, Nev., a corporation of Nevada Application January 11, 1954, Serial No. 403,232

' 2 Claims. (Cl. 145-50) This invention relates in general to hand tools, and more specifically to improvements in thimble tools intended to be carried by ones finger and rotated by ones thumb.

'At the present time there are being manufactured many pieces of equipment which have screws and other fasteners disposed in out-of-the-way places which are relatively inaccessible and which are almost impossible to turn with conventional tools. It is, therefore, the primary object of this invention to provide an improved hand tool in the form of a thimble tool which may be carried by ones finger and which may be rotated in the desired direction for either placing or removing an associated fastener through the use of an adjacent thumb.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved thimble tool which is of an extremely simple con struction and which is formable of readily obtainable material so as to be economically feasible;

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved thimble tool which has carried thereby a key chain whereby keys and other important items may be carried in combination with the thimble tool, the thimble tool forming both an ornament and a useful tool.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure l is an elevational view of a preferred form of the invention which is in the form of a screw driver having a blade thereof integrally formed therewith and punched therefrom;

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 22 of Figure 1 and shows the general relationship of the various parts of the thimble tool of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view similar to Figure 2 and shows a slightly modified form of the thimble tool;

- Figure 4 is a perspective view of another modified form of thimble tool and shows the general outline thereof;

Figure 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 55 of Figure 4 and shows the construction of the thimble tool of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional view similar to Figure 5 taken through a slightly modified form of thimble screw driver and shows the general construction thereof;

Figure 7 is another enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially through the center of another modified form of tool and shows the manner in which a screw driver blade is carried by the housing part thereof;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a further modified form of thimble tool and shows the general outline thereof;

Figure 9 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken "ice substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 9--9 of Figure 8 and shows the general construction of the thimble tool of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken through a still further modified form of thimble tool and shows the manner in which a thimble-shaped insert is carried thereby;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of yet another modified form of thimble tool;

Figure 12 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 12--12 of Figure 11 and shows the manner in which a screw driver blade is removably carried by the remainder of the thimble tool; and

Figure 13 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken through another modified form of thimble tool and shows the general construction thereof.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2 in particular, it will be seen that there is illustrated a thimble tool which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 10. The thimble tool 10 includes a generally cup-shaped housing which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 12. The cup-shaped housing 12 of the thimble tool 10 includes a cylindrical body portion 14 and a base 16.

The thimble tool 10 is in the form of a screw driver and includes a depending screw driver blade 18. The screw driver blade 18 is formed integrally with the base 16 and struck therefrom leaving an opening 20 in the base 16. In order to facilitate rotation of the screw driver blade 18, the body portion 14 is provided with vertically extending ribs 22.

It will be understood that the cup-shaped housing 12 is to be received over the forefinger of ones hand and that the housing 12 together with the screw driver blade 18 are to be rotated in the desired direction by the thumb and middle finger of such hand.

Although the thimble tool 10 is intended primarily to be utilized as a tool, it may also serve as an ornament due to its size. Therefore, the body portion 14 is provided with an aperture 24. Passed through the aperture 24 is a key chain 26. Although no keys or other devices have been illustrated as carried by the key chain 26, it will be understood that the items normally found on a key chain may be carried thereby.

Referring now to Figure 3 in particular, it will be seen that the form of thimble tool illustrated therein is referred to in general by the reference numeral 28. The thimble tool 28, like the thimble tool 10, includes a generally cup-shaped housing which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 36. The housing 30 includes a generally cylindrical body portion 32 which has the lower end thereof closed by a transverse base 34. It will be noted that the base 34 is formed separate from the cylindrical body portion 32.

The thimble tool 28 is also a screw driver and includes a screw driver blade 36 which is formed integral with the base 34. It will be noted that the blade 36 is struck from the base 34 and that the forming of the blade 36 results in an opening 38 in the base 34.

It is intended that the thimble tool 28 also form an ornament and accordingly the cylindrical body portion 32 is provided with an aperture 40. Removably carried by the aperture 40 is a conventional key chain 42.

Referring now to Figures 4 and 5 in particular, it will be seen that there is illustrated a different type of thimble tool, the thimble tool being referred to in general by the reference numeral 44. The thimble tool 44 includes a cup-shaped housing which is referred to generally by the reference numeral 46. The cup-shaped housing 46 includes a cylindrical body portion 48 and a base 50. The base 50 has an outline similar to that of a truncated cone and is formed separate from and secured to the body portion 48. The base 50 is relatively solid and has a centrally located bore 52 therethrough. Rigidly carried by the bore 52 is an elongated shank 54 of a screw driver blade 56.

The thimble tool 44 is intended to double as an ornament and the body portion 48 is provided with an aperture 53.; Removably carried by the aperture 58 is a conventional key chain 60.

Referring now to Figure 6, it will be seen that there is illustrated a slight modification of the thimble tool of Figure 5, the thimble tool of Figure 6 being referred to V in general by the reference numeral 62. The thimble tool 62 includes an integral cup-shaped housing which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 64. The cup-shaped housing 64 includes a cylindrical body portion 66 which is formed integrally with a frusto-conical base 68. In addition to being formed integral with the body portio'n'66, the frusto-conical base 68 is generally hollow and has extending therethrough a centrally located bore 79. Rigidly carried by the bore 70 is a relatively short shank 72 of a screw driver blade 74.

In order that the thimble tool 62 may also function as an ornament, the body portion 66 thereof is provided with an'aperture 76. Removably carried by the cupshaped housing 64 and passing through the aperture 76 is a key chain 78. V

Referring now to Figure 7 in particular, it will be seen that there is illustrated a modified form of thimble tool which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 80. The thimble tool 80 includes a cup-shaped housing 82. The cup-shaped housing 32 comprises an integral body portion 84, which is cylindrical in outline, and a frusto-conical base 56. The frusto-conical base 86 is relatively solid and has rigidly carried thereby a screw driver blade 88. It will be noted that the screw driver blade 6-3 is flat and the upper portion thereof is embedded within the frusto-conical base 86. In order to facilitate secureinent of the screw driver blade 88 in ornament and the upper part of the body portion 84 is provided with an aperture 90. Removably passedthrough 'thc aperturefiti is a key chain 92.

Referring now to Figures 8 and 9, itwill be seen that ferred to in general by the reference numeral 94. The

thimble tool 94 includes a cup-shaped housing which is thereis illustrated a form of thimble tool which is rereferred to in general by the reference numeral 96. The

cup-shaped housing 96 is' formed by a cylindrical body portion 98 and integral, frusto-conical base 100. .The frusto-conical base 100 is provided with a centrally located vertical bore 102 in which is rigidly secured an elongated shank 104 of "a screw driver blade 106.

In order to facilitate rotation of the screw driver blade 106, the outer surface of the body portion 98 is knurled as at 108. Further, there is carried within the body portion 98 a thimble-like insert 110. The insert is formed of spring metal and is of 'the split type, The insert 10 is provided adjacent its upper edge with an outwardly projecting annular locking ring 112. The locking ring 112 is spring-urged into engagement in a locking groove 114 in the inner surface of the body portion 98. 'It will be understood that the body portion 98 is intended to rotate relative to the insert 112 which may be wedged on ones finger;

Referring now to Figure 10, it will be seen that there 'is illustrated a thimble tool somewhat similar to the.

thimble tool of Figure 9. The thimble tool of Figure 10 isreferred to in general by the reference numeral 116 V and includes a cup-shaped housing which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 118. The cup V shaped housing 118is formed by a cylindrical body porof the screw driver blade 152.

7 there is carried by the body portion 120 a thimble-shaped insert 130. The thimble-shaped insert is retained within the body portion 120 by a separate locking ring 132 which is removably seated in a locking groove 134 formed in the inner surface of the body portion 120. It

lwill be understood that the insert 130 is intended to remain stationary while the body portion 120 is'rotated 'thereabout.

Referring now to Figures 11 and 12in particular, it

will be seen that there is illustrated a form .of thimble tool which is referred to in general by the reference nu- 'mera1 136. The thimble tool 136 includes a generally cup-shaped housing which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 138. The cup-shaped housing 138 is formed by a cylindrical body portion 140. Formed separate from the cylindrical body portion 140'and rigidl secured thereto is a frusto-conical base 142. I Carried by the frusto-conicalbase 142 in depending relation thereto is an elongated split sleeve 144. The split sleeve 144 is externally threaded as at146 and has removably carried thereby in clamping relation an internally threaded collar 148. 7 It will be understood that the collar 148 and the split sleeve 144 combine to form a collet. Removably carried by the split sleeve 144 is an elongated shank 150 of a screw driver blade 152.

Referring now to Figurell in particular, it will be seen that the body portion 140 is externally knurled as at 154 to facilitate rotation thereof. Furtherl the collar 148 is provided with vertically extending ribs 156 to facilitaterrotation thereof. It will be understood that the knurling 154 may facilitate the retention of the body portion 140 in a fixed'position while the collar 148'is rotated relative thereto to either clamp or permit removal Referring now to Figure 13 in particular, it will be seen that there is illustrated a thimbletool which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 158. The. thimble tool 158 includes an integral cup-shaped housing 160. The cup-shaped housin 16 0 is formed by a cylindrical body portion 162 and a frusto-conical base 164, the base 164 being integral with the body portion 162. Carried by the relatively solid base 164 is a-depending sleeve 166. Mounted within the sleeve 166 is a screw driver'blade 168 and depending spring-urged fingers 170. It will be understood that the spring-urged fingers 170 are intended to grip and retain a fastener (not shown) from the screw driver blade 168. Inasmuch as the mechanism for positioning the spring-urged fingers 170 is old and well known, it will not be explained in more detail here.

In view of the foregoing, 'it'will be seen that there has been illustrated a number of dilferent types of thimble tool constructions which vary in strength, cost and use;

It will be understood that'each of the thimble tools is intended for a particular purpose'and they are particularly constructed for such purpose. a

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, his not desired to limit the 7 invention to the exact construction shown and described,

depending relation, said base being generally frustoconical and projecting downwardly below said body portion, said base being relatively solid, said blade element including an elongated shank, said shank being rigidly secured in said base, a thimble-shaped insert lockingly carried by said body portion to facilitate rotation of said housing relative to a supporting finger, said insert being split and formed of spring material, said insert having an integral locking ring removably seated in a locking groove in said body portion.

2. A thirnble screw driver comprising a cup-shaped housing, said housing including a cylindrical body portion and a base closing a lower end of said body portion, said base being generally frusto-conical and projecting downwardly below said body portion, said base being relatively solid, a blade element, said blade element including an elongated shank, said shank passing into said base and being rigidly secured thereto, a thirnble-shaped insert disposed within said body portion, said body portion having an annular recess formed in the inner surface thereof adjacent its upper end, said insert being generally cylindrical and having at an upper end thereof an integral locking ring, said locking ring being seated in said recess, said insert and said locking ring being split and formed of spring material to facilitate positioning of said insert, said base forming a bottom for said insert.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNTTED STATES PATENTS 417,221 Moores Mar. 22, 1892 1,640,490 Davidaitis Aug. 30, 1927 2,151,846 Greneker Mar. 28, 1939 2,418,638 Hoover Apr. 8, 1947 2,476,617 Mueller July 19, 1949 2,482,350 Leniz Sept. 20, 1949 2,543,283 Frank eb. 27, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 150,599 Austria Sept. 10, 1937 

